Senior Analyst, Credit Operations Modeling

Synchrony's Credit and Capital Management group is seeking a data scientist / credit risk modeling professional experienced with executing, maintaining, and developing models under relevant regulatory guidance (SR 11-7 / OCC 2011-12, CECL, CCAR, DFAST). This role is part of the Reserves & Loss Forecasting team within Credit and Capital Management.

About the Role

The primary focus of this role is on the quarterly reserve development process, as well as planning sessions involving loss forecast and reserve estimate projections. As lead analyst, you will execute critical credit estimation models on a quarterly basis, providing analytical input to the development of estimates for Credit and Fraud Losses by running complex statistical, trend-based models with forward-looking features. The role involves analyzing trends and drivers of changes across the entire Synchrony portfolio and all products. You will produce robust collateral to support process risk controls and related documentation for effective governance, internal reviews, and external examinations.

The lead analyst collaborates across functions in Credit & Capital Management, IT, and model development to manage model enhancements and big data processing. You will use model knowledge, business analysis, and process experience to ensure business intent aligns with sound estimates, communicate with peers and functional leaders, and document assumptions and methods to meet accounting rules and model risk management guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute models in the production Reserves and Loss Forecasting process with a focus on CECL, as well as allied quantitative estimates such as recoveries, scenario management, and stress testing.
• Maintain model data input monitoring, production controls, and output analytics, including results analysis and robust documentation of key facets.
• Support the quarterly review process, quarter-closing activities, and contribute to effective process controls as a peer reviewer.
• Visualize insights, performance, and trends in inputs/outputs for effective communication and decision-making.
• Drive understanding of drivers and provide narrative support for assumptions, rationale, and projections to model owners and sponsors.
• Assist with responding to model validation, regulatory, or other oversight requests, including exam findings or issues, while adhering to model governance standards.
• Support the development of new models or enhancements to existing models.
• Aid in managing models through their lifecycle, from development to implementation in production, including outlining enhancements for evaluation and future releases.
• Meet project timelines, engage in ongoing analysis, identify performance thresholds, manage model version control, conduct performance assessments, and seek opportunities for process and model improvements.
• Collaborate on model re-calibrations and re-fits when business dynamics change.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Forecasting, Reserve and Stress Testing/Capital Management, Model Development, Data Governance, Finance, Collections, and Controllership.
• Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with a quantitative underpinning (e.g., Data Science, Computer Science, Risk, Accounting, Business, Economics, Finance, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering) and 5+ years of experience in programming/analytics, ideally in Risk, Credit, Finance, Accounting, Consumer Lending, or a related field.
• In lieu of a degree, 9+ years of experience in Risk, Credit, Finance, Accounting, or Consumer Lending.
• 5+ years of experience demonstrating strong programming skills in SQL, Python, and Spark.
• Proven hands-on experience using SQL, Python, Spark, Linux, and other tools to perform statistical analysis, query relational databases, and manage large datasets.
• Ability and flexibility to travel for business as required.

Qualifications

• Excellent time management with the ability to handle multiple competing initiatives and deliver results within deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Experience in process improvement, project management, or change management.
• Familiarity with Model Governance trends/developments across the banking sector, especially as related to credit card or consumer lending (SR 11-7).
• Strong communication skills to facilitate complex discussions in a productive and collaborative manner.
• Positive mindset under tight timelines and critical deliverables.
• Experience with Linux, HDFS, and AWS to collaborate and operate in a cloud computing environment.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $85,000 - $140,000 USD annually and is eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance. Actual compensation offered within the posted salary range will be based on work experience, skill level, or knowledge. Salaries are adjusted according to market in CA, NY Metro, and Seattle.

Schedule

This role offers flexibility with the option to work from home near one of Synchrony’s Hubs or come into the office. You will be required to commute to your nearest Hub (either virtual or physical) for in-person engagement activities such as regular business or team meetings, training, and culture events. Field Sales and some Commercial team roles may have varied location requirements based on partner obligations or preferences.